[TurtleGiraffe]

Does anyone know how to balance the equation for the formation of the zeolite LTA? I think this is the equation:

Na₂SiO₃.5H₂0 + NaAlO₂  + H₂O + NaOH Na12(AlO₂)12(SiO₂)12.27H2O + NaOH + H₂O

[Arkcon]

This is going to be a tough one, as you can probably tell.  Chemical formulas are easier to read when you use subscripts, not that that will help you balance, just a neatness for this forum.  If this reaction happens in aqueous solution, you can ignore the water of hydration.  If it doesn't (I really don't know,) then you will have to take it into account.  At any rate, there's nowhere near the correct amount of Na on either side, so you will have to at least work with that one.

[TurtleGiraffe]

Yeah, tried for hours to balance it as its pretty crucial to my report. Changed it to subscripts except for ones with 12 as couldn't find subscript 1. I believe it was done in an aqueous solution.

[Arkcon]

Then you can erase the water of hydration form each molecule and begin again.  Assume there is only one of the sodium silicate, do you end up with enough of each atom for all the products?  If not, assume more, until you do, and watch what happens to the other atoms as you do that.

[Borek]

Na₂SiO₃.5H₂0 + NaAlO₂  + H₂O + NaOH Na12(AlO₂)12(SiO₂)12.27H2O + NaOH + H₂O

You have NaOH and H₂O on both sides of the equation. Remove NaOH on the left. Then there are two ways to balance what is left - use pentahydrate on the left and add H₂O on the right, or use anhydrous silicate and add H₂O on the left.